Refrigerator

ABSTRACT

A refrigerator is improved in storage environment by suppressing drying and oxidation and enhanced in volume efficiency and cooling efficiency. The refrigerator includes a refrigerating chamber, a vegetable chamber, and a freezing chamber in order from its top to its bottom. Cool air is introduced into the freezing chamber by a first cooler and a first fan, and is introduced into the refrigerating chamber by a second cooler and a second fan. These chambers function as a direct cooling chamber. The vegetable chamber functions as an indirect cooling chamber cooled by a cooling plate which is disposed at the top of the chamber and has a large thermal conductivity, which is cooled by forced convection by the second cooler and the second fan, producing the effects of low temperature radiation and natural convection in the chamber. This arrangement provides the refrigerator with quality maintaining effects in accordance with the suitability for storage of foods, and allows the refrigerator to assure high storing performance.

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present invention relates to a refrigerator including threeor more storage chambers arranged vertically.

BACKGROUND ART

[0002] A recent refrigerator is provided with storage chamberscontrolled at respective temperatures in accordance with kinds of foodsstored therein. A conventional refrigerator mainly is provided with afreezing chamber at its top, a refrigerating chamber in its middle, anda vegetable chamber at its bottom. Recently, with priority given tobeing easy to use, a refrigerator provided with a refrigerating chamberat the top, and a freezing chamber and a vegetable chamber at the middleand center have been proposed and widely used. And, due to a recenthealth boom, a refrigerator is provided with a vegetable chamber in themiddle for conveniently handling vegetables best.

[0003] A conventional refrigerator with a vegetable chamber arranged inits middle is disclosed in Japanese Patent Laid-open No.8-338681.

[0004]FIG. 12 is a sectional view of the conventional refrigerator.Refrigerator body 1 is vertically partitioned by insulating partitionwall 2, and is provided with refrigerating chamber 3 and vegetablechamber 4 for storing vegetables and fruits at the top, and freezingchambers 5 and 6 at the bottom. Hinged door 7 is disposed at the frontopening portion of the refrigerating chamber 3. Drawer door 8 is fittedto the front opening portion of the vegetable chamber. Drawer doors 9and 10 fits to respective opening portions of the freezing chambers 5and 6. Storage container 11 is drawn out along with the drawer door ofthe vegetable chamber, and upper storage container 12 is disposed at thetop rear of the storage container 11. Storage containers 13 and 14 aredrawn out along with the drawer door of the refrigerating chamber. Inthe vegetable chamber 4 closed with the drawer door 8, lid 16 providedwith wet member 15 covers the upper opening portion of the storagecontainers 11 and 12 to keep them nearly closed and forms cool airconvection passage 17 at the outer periphery of the storage containers11, 12 and lid 16. At the lowest stage of door pocket 18 at the interiorside of the hinged door 7 of the refrigerating chamber, bottle rack 19is provided for storing PET bottles or cartons of milk. Low temperaturechamber 20 is disposed at the bottom of the refrigerating chamber 3,where meat and fish are stored at a temperature lower than that of therefrigerating chamber. Fan 22 for forced draft is provided at the backof the vegetable chamber 4, that is, above cooler 21 for freezing cycle.Air passage control panel 23 disposed at the back of the vegetablechamber 4 and low temperature chamber 20 is provided internally withdamper 24 for adjusting the amount of the cool air supplied to therefrigerating chamber 3, vegetable chamber 4, and low temperaturechamber 20. The cooler 21 and the fan 22 are vertically arranged abovecompressor 25 disposed at the outside bottom rear of the refrigeratormain body 1. Height h from a floor, where the refrigerator main body 1is installed, to the upper end of the drawer door 8 of the vegetablechamber satisfies 850 mm≦h≦1000 mm.

[0005] In this refrigerator, the air cooled by the cooler 21 is directlyintroduced by the fan 22 into the refrigerating chambers 5 and 6, anddirectly introduced into the refrigerating chamber 3, vegetable chamber4, and low temperature chamber 20 via a cool-air-amount-adjustingoperation of the damper 24. Accordingly, the air cooled by the cooler 21is forced under convection in each chamber, and is then directly coolingand maintaining the inside of each chamber at a predeterminedtemperature. The cool air is forced under convection in the interior ofthe vegetable chamber 4 as well, but the air circulates in theconvection passage 17 and indirectly cools the contents of the containerfrom the outer periphery of the storage containers 11, 12, and the lid16.

[0006] Since the height h satisfies 850 mm≦h≦1000 mm, a user cansmoothly move the food without raising his/her elbow within a height ofa table (850 mm) of a sink often adjoining the refrigerator main body 1to the standard height 970 mm of the elbow of the user.

[0007] In the conventional refrigerator described above, since the aircooled by the cooler 21 is forced under convection in each refrigeratingchamber by a circulating operation of the fan 22, the refrigerator isnot suitable for storing foods, such as vegetables and fruits, meat, andfish, to be prevented from promotion of drying or oxidation whendirectly exposed to the cool air.

[0008] The contents of the vegetable chamber 4 are indirectly cooledwithout introducing the cool air directly into the storage containers 11and 12. But the convection passage 17 formed at the periphery of thestorage containers 11, 12, and the lid 16 is necessary to have acapacity enough to assure a specified cooling power, thus causing thesubstantial storing capacity of the refrigerator to be reduced much.Further, the total distance of the air circulating passage of the fan 22becomes longer, thus requiring a larger-sized fan. This increases apower consumption and noise, and making its cooling power for thevegetable chamber 4, which is cooled at last, be insufficient due to alarge passage resistance and passage heat absorption.

[0009] Since the cooler 21 and the fan 22 are arranged above thecompressor 25, the vegetable chamber 4 is shortened, and sizes of thestorage containers 11 and 12 are restricted. This arrangement makes thecapacity insufficient for storing vegetables and fruits, which arerecently consumed more.

[0010] Further, the position at which the stored bottles are held in thebottle rack 19 is about 150 mm high from the lower end of the hingeddoor 7. And the lower end of the door 7 is about 15 mm high from theupper end of the drawer door 8 of the vegetable chamber. Since theheight h from the floor to the upper end of the door 8 satisfies 850mm≦h≦1000 mm, the user reaches the bottles at a height of about h+165mm, that is, 1015 mm s (h+165 mm)≦1165 mm. Accordingly, the position atwhich heavy PET bottles or cartons of milk are handled is higher than970 mm, the height of the elbow of the user, and this causes a burden onthe user.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0011] A refrigerator is enhanced in volume efficiency and coolingefficiency, and provides storing environment for suppressing drying andoxidation of foods stored therein. The refrigerator assures a sufficientstoring capacity of a vegetable chamber since its length is notrestricted. Further, the refrigerator is improved in easy-to-use of,particularly, a bottle rack at a door pocket of a refrigerating chamber.

[0012] The refrigerator is internally partitioned to have three or morestorage chambers vertically arranged. At least one of the storagechambers is an indirect cooling chamber having an exterior cooledwithout introducing cool air into the chamber, and other chambers aredirect cooling chambers into which the cool air is introduced forcooling. Due to this multiple chamber configuration in a verticaldirection, an installation space for the refrigerator is reduced. Therefrigerator is under divisional storage control properly executed sincefoods to be prevented from drying and oxidation are stored in theindirect cooling chamber, while foods to be rapidly cooled are stored inthe direct cooling chamber.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0013]FIG. 1 is an outside front view of a refrigerator according toexemplary embodiment 1 of the present invention.

[0014]FIG. 2 is an interior front view of the refrigerator according toembodiment 1.

[0015]FIG. 3 is a sectional view of the refrigerator according toembodiment 1.

[0016]FIG. 4 is an interior front view of a refrigerator according toexemplary embodiment 2 of the invention.

[0017]FIG. 5 is a sectional view of the refrigerator according toembodiment 2.

[0018]FIG. 6 is an outside front view of a refrigerator according toexemplary embodiment 3 of the invention.

[0019]FIG. 7 is a sectional view of the refrigerator according toembodiment 3.

[0020]FIG. 8 is an outside front view of a refrigerator according toexemplary embodiment 4 of the invention.

[0021]FIG. 9 is a sectional view of the refrigerator according toembodiment 4.

[0022]FIG. 10 is an outside front view of a refrigerator according toexemplary embodiment 5 of the invention.

[0023]FIG. 11 is a sectional view of the refrigerator according toembodiment 5.

[0024]FIG. 12 is a sectional view of a conventional refrigerator.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0025] (Exemplary Embodiment 1)

[0026]FIG. 1 is an outside front view of a refrigerator according toexemplary embodiment 1 of the present invention. FIG. 2 is an interiorfront view of the refrigerator. FIG. 3 is a sectional view of therefrigerator. Heat insulating partition wall 28 internally partitionsrefrigerator main body 27 into its upper and lower sections, thusforming refrigerating chamber 29 at its top, vegetable chamber 30thereunder, and freezing chamber 31 at its bottom. Double door 32 isfitted to the right and left of the opening portion of the refrigeratingchamber 29, and at the interior side thereof is provided with doorpocket 33. Bottle rack 34 disposed at the lowest portion of the doorpocket 33 is used for storing PET bottles and cartons of milk which arerelatively large and heavy. Low temperature chamber 35 disposed at theinside bottom of the refrigerating chamber 29 is provided with storagecontainer 36 for mainly string perishable foods, such as meat and fish,at temperatures lower than that of the refrigerating chamber (forexample, chilled at about 0° C., partial freezing at about −3° C., andso on). Drawer door 37 fitted to the opening portion of the vegetablechamber 30 can be drawn out along with storage container 38 at itsinterior side. Upper storage container 39 is detachably disposed at theupper portion of the storage container 38. Also, drawer door 40 fittedto the opening portion of the freezing chamber 31 can be drawn out alongwith storage container 41 at its interior side. Upper storage container42 is disposed at the upper portion of the storage container 41 which ismovable in forward and backward directions. Ice maker 43 is disposed atthe ceiling portion inside the freezing chamber 31. Compressor 44 forfreezing cycle is installed at the bottom rear of the refrigerator mainbody 27. First cooler 45 is arranged side by side with the compressor 44via the heat insulating wall of the refrigerator main body 27, and isaccommodated at the inside rear of the freezing chamber 31. First fan 46for forced draft is disposed above and close to the first cooler 45.Both the first cooler 45 and the first fan 46 are accommodated at therear of the freezing chamber 31, not pervading the rear region of thevegetable chamber 30. Second cooler 47 is arranged at the upper insiderear of the refrigerating chamber 27. Second fan 48 is disposed aboveand close to the second cooler 47. Partition plate 49 is disposedbetween the refrigerating chamber 29 and the vegetable chamber 30,forming the bottom of the refrigerating chamber 29. Cooling plate 50closes the top opening of the vegetable chamber 30 at a specifiedinterval under the partition plate 49, and forms a part of an outerenvelop of the vegetable chamber 30. The cooling plate 50 is made ofmetal, such as aluminum or material having a large thermal conductivity.The partition plate 49 and the cooling plate 50 form draft passage 51between them. Intake air passage 52 is disposed at the back of therefrigerating chamber 29, and allows air after cooling in therefrigerating chamber 29 to be taken into the second cooler 47.Discharge air passage 53 is disposed at the inside top of therefrigerating chamber 29, and allows air cooled by the second cooler 47to be discharged by the second fan 48 into the refrigerating chamber 29.The draft passage 51, the intake air passage 52, and the discharge airpassage 53 are connected in series, which are arranged so as to surroundthe three sides except the internal door side of the refrigeratingchamber 29. The draft passage 51 is provided with intake port 54 at itsfront. The intake air passage 52 is provided with intake ports 55 and 56for taking air which has cooled the refrigerating chamber 29 and the lowtemperature chamber 35. Discharge port 57 is provided at the front ofdischarge air passage 53 for discharging the cool air into therefrigerating chamber 29.

[0027] In the above configuration, the cooled air is directly introducedinto the freezing chamber 31 by the first cooler 45 and the first fan46, and into the refrigerating chamber 29 by the second cooler 47 andthe second fan 48. That is, the refrigerating chamber 29 and thefreezing chamber 31 function as direct cooling chambers. The cool air isnot introduced into the vegetable chamber 30 which functions as anindirect cooling chamber cooled via the cooling plate 50.

[0028] Height H from a floor where the refrigerator main body 27 isinstalled to the upper end of the drawer door 37 of the vegetablechamber satisfies 600 mm≦H≦850 mm.

[0029] An operation of the above refrigerator will be described.

[0030] The refrigerating chamber 29, freezing chamber 31, and lowtemperature chamber 35 function as direct cooling chambers in whichtheir contents are cooled by forced convection of the cool air directlyintroduced into their interiors. The air cooled by the first cooler 45is directly introduced by the first fan 46 into the freezing chamber 31,and the contents of the storage container 41 and the upper storagecontainer 42 are directly cooled by forced convection and stored atfreezing temperatures. The air cooled by the second cooler 47 isforcibly circulated by the second fan 48 and directly discharged fromthe discharge port 57 into the refrigerating chamber 29 via thedischarge air passage 53. Simultaneously, the cool air is directlydischarged from a discharge port (not shown) into the low temperaturechamber 35. The cooled air used to directly cool the contents of therefrigerating chamber 29 by forced convection is collected into theintake air passage 52 from the intake port 55 and returns to the secondcooler 47. At this moment, a part of the cool air discharged into therefrigerating chamber 29 is introduced from the intake port 54 at thebottom of the chamber 29 into the draft passage 51 and returns to thesecond cooler 47 through the intake air passage 52 while cooling thecooling plate 50. The cool air directly introduced into the lowtemperature chamber 35 similarly returns from the intake port 56 to thesecond cooler 47 through the intake air passage 52 after cooling thecontents. Accordingly, the contents stored in these chambers are rapidlycooled since they are placed under cooling environment having arelatively large heat transfer coefficient. Thus, the refrigeratingchamber 29, freezing chamber 31, and low temperature chamber 35 aresuitable for cooling storage of general foods, such as daily dishes,processed foods, frozen foods, and drinks, to desirably be cooled downto specified storage temperatures in a short time when they are storedfor the first time or when the temperature is raised due to opening andclosing of the refrigerator door.

[0031] The cooling plate 50 cooled by forced convection of cool airpassing through the draft passage 51 is made of material having a largethermal conductivity, such as an aluminum plate, and the plate 50 istherefore quickly and nearly uniformly cooled over the entire surface tobe lowered in temperature. As a result, the cooling plate 50 functionsas an indirect cooling plate for the vegetable chamber 30 and isdisposed at the top of the chamber 30. That is, the cooling plate 50cools the contents stored in the storage container 38 and upper storagecontainer 39 of the vegetable chamber 30 by radiant cooling with atemperature difference and a downward cooling caused by naturalconvection, thereby allowing the vegetable chamber 30 to function as anindirect cooling chamber.

[0032] Accordingly, in the vegetable chamber 30, the contents are placedunder cooling environment having a relatively small heat transfercoefficient, thus being prevented from drying. Therefore, the vegetablechamber is suitable for cooling storage of perishable foods, such asvegetables and fruits, which has storage quality affected bytranspiration of water in particular.

[0033] Since the vegetable chamber 30 is closed with the cooling plate50 at its top and is not directly communicated with other coolingchambers, water slowly transpired from stored vegetables and fruits isutilized to increase an interior humidity in the chamber 30, therebykeeping the interior of the vegetable chamber 30 at high humidity. Thiswith the drying preventing effect due to indirect cooling furthersuppresses the reduction of water by the synergistic effect. Therefore,the refrigerator provides storage control for maintaining quality of thefoods for a long time.

[0034] As described above, the refrigerator is partitioned into three ormore sections of storage chambers including the direct cooling chamberskept at freezing and refrigerating temperatures, and the indirectcooling chambers kept at refrigerating temperatures. This arrangementprovides the refrigerator with a high storage efficiency, whilesuppressing the lowering of food quality under the storage controlaccording to suitability for the stored foods.

[0035] The vegetable chamber 30 in the middle of the refrigerator mainbody is cooled by a part of the circulating cooling air passage of therefrigerating chamber 29 adjoining its top, thus allowing therefrigerator to have a simple structure. Since the total distance of thecirculating air passage is not particularly elongated, the draftresistance does not increase while the cooling efficiency increases.This allows an indirect cooling chamber to be economically andrationally obtained.

[0036] The cooling temperature of the vegetable chamber 30 may begenerally about 5° C. that is equivalent to or a little higher than thatof the refrigerating chamber 29. The temperature provides therefigerater with efficient cooling by the second cooler 47 forrefrigerating chambers kept at relatively high temperatures. Further, aindirect cooling surface of the cooling plate 50 is not excessivelycooled, and the water transpired from the stored foods does not form dewor freeze.

[0037] If the cooling temperature of the vegetable chamber 30 isnecessarily lowered in order to improve the storage quality, the coolingplate 50 preferably has a larger surface area or extend its installationother than at the top of the chamber 30. Or, the draft passage 51 forcooling the cooling plate 50 is connected not to the intake air passage52 of the refrigerating chamber but partially directly connected to theend of the discharge air passage 53, thereby allowing the cool air topass forward from the bottom rear of the refrigerating chamber. Asabove, the cooling plate 50 is cooled preferably by the cool air that isdischarged at low temperatures and has high cooling power.

[0038] The vegetable chamber 30 does not internally require a convectionpassage of cool air for cooling over the entire periphery of the storagecontainer 38, the passage being required in a conventional refrigerator.Accordingly, the storage container 38 can be enlarged up to a size whichdoes not affect the opening and closing of the drawer door 37, therebyincreasing the storing capacity.

[0039] The refrigerator main body 27 has the refrigerating chamber 29,vegetable chamber 30, and freezing chamber 31 vertically arranged fromtop to bottom in the order of higher using frequency. This arrangementprovides the refrigerator with multiple section control in a relativelysmall installation space without affecting its convenience. Thevegetable chamber 30 in the middle particularly has a storing capacityas an indirect cooling chamber. This allows the user to open the drawerdoor 37 and to handle the contents while taking an extensive view of thewhole from above in a standing posture without stooping.

[0040] The freezing chamber 31 at the bottom being rather poor inconvenience is also provided with the drawer door 40, thereby reducingdifficulty of handling the contents. Also, since the refrigeratingchamber 29, which is most frequently used and has the largest storingcapacity, has a hinged door, the user can handle the contents whiletaking an extensive view of them in front of him/her at the height ofhis/her eyes. In particular, the double door 32 separately opens to theright and left, and does not occupy a large space when opening andclosing. The door 32 and the drawer doors 37 and 40 for the vegetablechamber 30 and the freezing chamber 31 provide a refrigerator withconvenience.

[0041] Further, when handling PET bottles or cartons of milk in therefrigerating chamber 29, the user opens the door 32 of therefrigerating chamber and reaches the bottle rack 34 at the lowestportion of the door pocket 33. Then, the height H from the floor to theupper end of the door 37 of the vegetable chamber allows the height ofthe portion where the bottles in the bottle rack 34 to be held at nearlyH+150 mm. If(H+150 mm)<1000 mm, the height is within a range of theheight of the user's standard elbow, i.e., 970 mm plus the height ofhis/her footwear. This arrangement allows the user to handle heavybottles in the bottle rack 34 without raising his/her elbow.

[0042] That is, since H<850 mm, it is not burdensome but very easy forthe user to take the bottles which are rather frequently used everyday.The height allows even little children, who often use the bottles, totake the bottles conveniently and safely.

[0043] Also, the lowest portion that can be easily reached by a user of155 cm in height standing 400 mm away from the refrigerator is locatedat 630 mm. Accordingly, in case of H≧600 mm, the height of the loweststoring surface in the refrigerating chamber 29 is nearly H+50 mm≧650mm. This arrangement allows the user to easily take the foods in and outof the refrigerating chamber 29 in a standing posture.

[0044] Accordingly, if the upper end height H of the drawer door 37 ofthe vegetable chamber satisfies 600 mm≦H<850 mm for the layout of eachstorage chamber, the height provides an easy-to-use refrigeratorincluding the refrigerating chamber 29 used frequently.

[0045] The first cooler 45, being arranged side by side with thecompressor 44, can be arranged lower. This arrangement allows the firstcooler 45 or the first fan 46 above it to be installed at the back ofthe freezing chamber 31 and prevents them from invading the back area ofthe vegetable chamber 30. In the vegetable chamber having an increasedstoring capacity as an indirect cooling chamber, the length of thestorage container 38 can be elongated up to near the back insulatingmaterial, and thereby, the storing capacity further increases.

[0046] (Exemplary Embodiment 2)

[0047]FIG. 4 is a front view of an interior of a refrigerator inexemplary embodiment 2 of the present invention. FIG. 5 is a sectionalview of the refrigerator. Insulating partition wall 60 partitionsrefrigerator main body 59 into upper and lower sections to formrefrigerating chamber 61 at its top, vegetable chamber 62 thereunder,and freezing chamber 63 at the bottom. Cooler 64 is arranged side byside with compressor 44 at the back of the freezing chamber 63. Fan 65for forced draft is disposed above and close to the cooler 64. Damperunit 66 for cool air adjustment is arranged side by side with the fan65. Cooler 64, fan 65, and damper unit 66 are disposed at the back ofthe freezing chamber 63 and do not intrude on the rear area of thevegetable chamber 62. Partition plate 67 is disposed between therefrigerating chamber 61 and the vegetable chamber 62. Cooling plate 68closes the top opening of the vegetable chamber 62 at a specifiedinterval under the partition plate 67. The cooling plate 68 is made ofmaterial having a large thermal conductivity to form a part of an outerenvelop of the vegetable chamber 62. Draft passage 69 is formed betweenthe partition plate 67 and the cooling plate 68. The fan 65 circulatesthe air cooled by the cooler 64 through the draft passage 70 and thedamper unit 66. Discharge air passage 71 is disposed from the back tothe top of the refrigerating chamber 61, and directly discharges thecool air into the refrigerating chamber 61. Discharge port 72 isprovided at the front top of the discharge air passage 71. Vent hole 73is provided at the front of the draft passage 69. The draft passage 70is connected to the discharge air passage 71 at the bottom rear of therefrigerating chamber 61 and is connected to the draft passage 69.

[0048] An operation of the refrigerator having the above configurationwill be described.

[0049] The air cooled by the cooler 64 is directly introduced by the fan65 into the freezing chamber 63 in which the contents directly cooled byforced convection are stored at freezing temperatures. Next, the amountof the cool air forcibly circulated by the fan 65 is adjusted by thedamper unit 66, and the cool air is directly discharged from thedischarge port 72 into the refrigerating chamber 61 through the draftpassage 70 and the discharge air passage 71. That is, the refrigeratingchamber 61 and the freezing chamber 63 function as direct coolingchambers in which the contents are cooled by forced convection of thecool air directly introduced into their interiors. Accordingly, thecontents are rapidly cooled since being placed under a coolingenvironment having a relatively large heat transfer coefficient. Therefrigerating chamber 61 is suitable for cool-storing general foods,such as daily dishes, processed foods, frozen foods, and drinks, whichis preferably cooled down to specified storage temperatures in a shorttime when they are stored for the first time or when the temperature israised due to opening and closing of the door.

[0050] The cool air flowing in the draft passage 70 also flows in thedraft passage 69, for nearly-uniformly cooling the cooling plate 68having a large thermal conductivity. The cooling plate 68 functions asan indirect cooling plate for the vegetable chamber 62 and disposed atthe top of the chamber 62. That is, the cooling plate 68 indirectlycools the contents by radiant cooling due to a temperature differenceand downward cooling by natural convection.

[0051] Accordingly, in the vegetable chamber 62, the contents are placedunder a cooling environment having a relatively small heat transfercoefficient, thus causing their drying to be suppressed. Therefore, thevegetable chamber is suitable for cool-storing perishable foods, such asvegetables and fruits, of which storage quality is closely related totranspiration of water in particular.

[0052] As described above, the refrigerator is partitioned into three ormore sections of storage chambers, direct cooling chambers kept atfreezing and refrigerating temperatures, and indirect cooling chamberskept at refrigerating temperatures. Cooler 64 and fan 65 for coolingthese storage chambers provides the chambers with storage control inaccordance with the suitability for storage of the foods stored in therefrigerator and to enhance the storage capacity.

[0053] Similarly to embodiment 1, the vegetable chamber 62 is notnecessary to be internally provided with a convection passage of cooledair for cooling over the entire periphery of the storage container 38,which are provided in a conventional refrigerator. Therefore, thestorage container 38 can be enlarged up to the extent that no hindranceis caused due to opening and closing of the drawer door 37, therebyincreasing the storing capacity.

[0054] Further, similarly to embodiment 1, the cooler 64 is arrangedside by side with the compressor 44. This arrangement allows therefrigerator to be lower. As a result, the cooler 64, the fan 65, andthe damper unit 66 which are disposed there above may be installed atthe back of the freezing chamber 63 and do not intrude on the rear ofthe vegetable chamber 62. The length of the storage container 38 can beelongated up to near the back insulating material, and this arrangementincreases the storing capacity.

[0055] (Exemplary Embodiment 3)

[0056]FIG. 6 is an outside front view of a refrigerator according toexemplary embodiment 3 of the present invention. FIG. 7 is a sectionalview of the refrigerator. Insulating partition walls 75 and 76 partitionrefrigerator main body 74 into upper and lower sections. The insulatingpartition wall 75 forms refrigerating chamber 77 at the top andvegetable chamber 78 thereunder. Under the insulating partition wall 76,freezing chamber 79 is formed. Multi-purpose chamber 80 is formedbetween the insulating partition walls 75 and 76. Drawer door 81 isfitted to the opening of the vegetable chamber 78 and is drawn out alongwith storage container 82 at the interior side. Drawer door 83 is fittedto the opening of the freezing chamber 79 and is drawn out along withstorage container 84. Drawer door 85 is fitted to the opening themulti-purpose chamber 80 and is drawn out along with storage container86. Double door 87 is fitted to the opening of the refrigerating chamber77. First cooler 88 is arranged side by side with the compressor 44 atthe back of the freezing chamber 79. First fan 89 for forced circulationis installed above and close to the cooler 88. Damper unit 90 forcool-air-amount adjustment is arranged side by side with the fan 89. Thefirst cooler 88, first fan 89, and damper unit 90 are disposed at theback of the freezing chamber 79 and do not intrude on the rear of thevegetable chamber 78. Second cooler 91 is arranged at the rear topinside the refrigerating chamber 77. The second fan 92 for forcedcirculation is disposed above and close to the second cooler 91.Partition plate 93 is disposed between the refrigerating chamber 77 andthe vegetable chamber 78. Cooling plate 94 closes the top opening of thevegetable chamber 78 at a specified interval under the partition plate93. The cooling plate 94 made of material having high thermalconductivity form a part of the outer envelop of the vegetable chamber78. Draft passage 95 is formed between the partition plate 93 and thecooling plate 94. Intake air passage 96 is disposed at the back of therefrigerating chamber 77 and takes the air after cooling in therefrigerating chamber 77 into the cooler 91. Discharge air passage 91 isdisposed at the top portion in the refrigerating chamber 77, throughwhich the air cooled in the cooler 91 is discharged by the fan 92 intothe refrigerating chamber 77.

[0057] The draft passage 95, intake air passage 96, and discharge airpassage 97 are connected to each other and arranged so as to surroundthe three sides except the interior door side of the refrigeratingchamber 77. Intake port 98 is provided at the front of the draft passage95. Discharge port 99 is provided at the front of the discharge airpassage 97 and discharges the cool air into the refrigerating chamber77. The air cooled by the cooler 88 is delivered by the fan 89 into themulti-purpose chamber 80 through draft passage 100 and damper unit 90.

[0058] Accordingly, each of the freezing chamber 79 functions as adirect cooling chamber with the first cooler 88 and the first fan 89.The refrigerating chamber 77 functions as a direct cooling chamber withthe second cooler 91 and the second fan 92. The multi-purpose chamber 80functions as a direct cooling chamber with the first cooler 88, thefirst fan 89 and the damper unit 90. The direct cooling chambersdirectly introduces the cool air into the interior. The cool air is notintroduced into the interior of the vegetable chamber 78 which functionsas an indirect cooling chamber via the cooling plate 94.

[0059] An operation of the refrigerator having the above configurationwill be described.

[0060] The air cooled by the first cooler 88 is directly introduced bythe first fan 89 into the freezing chamber 79 in which the contents aredirectly cooled by forced convection and are stored at freezingtemperatures. A part of the cooled air is adjusted by the damper unit 90to an appropriate amount and is directly introduced into themulti-purpose chamber 80 through the draft passage 100 in order todirectly cool the contents by forced convection. The contents are storedat desired temperatures ranging from a refrigerating temperature to afreezing temperature by the adjustment made by the user.

[0061] The air cooled by the second cooler 91 is forced and directlydischarged by the second fan 92 into the refrigerating chamber 77 fromthe discharge port 99 through the discharge air passage 97. A part ofthe cooled air for cooling the contents of the refrigerating chamber 77directly by forced convection is guided into the draft passage 95 fromthe intake port 98 at the bottom and returns to the second cooler 91through the intake air passage 96 after cooling the cooling plate 94.That is, the refrigerating chamber 77, freezing chamber 79, andmulti-purpose chamber 80 function as a direct cooling chamber in whichthe contents are cooled by forced convection of the cooled air directlyintroduced into the interior. Accordingly, the contents are rapidlycooled since being placed under a cooling environment having arelatively large heat transfer coefficient. The refrigerating chamber 77is suitable for cool-storing general foods, such as daily dishes,processed foods, frozen foods, and drinks, which are preferably cooleddown to specified storage temperatures in a short time when they arestored for the first time or when the temperature is raised due toopening and closing of the door.

[0062] The cool air flowing in the draft passage 95 quickly cools theentire surface of the cooling plate 94 nearly uniformly to lower thetemperature. The cooling plate 94 functions as an indirect cooling platefor cooling the vegetable chamber 78 and disposed at the top thereof.That is, the cooling plate 94 indirectly cools the contents of storagecontainer 82 by radiant cooling with a temperature difference and ofdownward cooling caused due to natural convection.

[0063] Accordingly, in the vegetable chamber 78, the contents are placedunder a cooling environment having a relatively small heat transfercoefficient, thus suppressing their drying. Therefore, the vegetablechamber is suitable for cool-storing perishable foods, such asvegetables and fruits of which storage quality is closely related withtranspiration of water in particular.

[0064] As described above, the refrigerator is partitioned into three ormore sections of storage chambers, direct cooling chambers kept atfreezing and refrigerating temperatures having a function of being ableto select proper temperatures, and indirect cooling chambers kept atrefrigerating temperatures. The stored foods are cooled in the chambersaccording to their suitability for storage. This suppresses thereduction of food quality, and provides a refrigerator that assuresexcellent storage performance.

[0065] The vegetable chamber 78 is not necessary to be internallyprovided with a convection passage of cool air for cooling over theentire periphery of the storage container 82, which is provided in aconventional refrigerator. Accordingly, the storage container 82 can beenlarged up to the extent that no hindrance is caused due to opening andclosing of the drawer door 81, thereby increasing the storing capacity.

[0066] The refrigerating chamber 77 provided with the double door 87.The vegetable chamber 78, multi-purpose chamber 80, and freezing chamber79 provided with the drawer doors 81, 83, and 85, respectively arearranged from top to bottom in the refrigerator main body 74. Thisarrangement allows the refrigerator which can be installed in a smallspace to be used easily and to have multiple section control. Inparticular, the vegetable chamber 78 in the middle has an increasedactual storing capacity as an indirect cooling chamber. Since thevegetable chamber 78 is provided with the drawer door 81, the user isable to handle the contents while taking an extensive view of the wholefrom above in a standing posture without stooping. This allows therefrigerator to sufficiently store vegetables and fruits especially muchconsumed due to a recent health boom.

[0067] Further, the first cooler 88 is arranged side by side with thecompressor 44. This arrangement allows the refrigerator to be lower. Asa result, the first cooler 88, the first fan 89, and the damper unit 90which are disposed there above may be installed at the back of thefreezing chamber 79 and do not intrude in the rear of the vegetablechamber 78. Accordingly, the length of the storage container 82 of thevegetable chamber can be elongated up to near the back insulatingmaterial, and this arrangement increases the storing capacity.

[0068] (Exemplary Embodiment 4)

[0069]FIG. 8 is an outside front view of a refrigerator according toexemplary embodiment 4 of the present invention. FIG. 9 is a sectionalview of the refrigerator. Insulating partition wall 75 partitionsrefrigerator main body 101 into upper and lower sections to formrefrigerating chamber 77 at the top and vegetable chamber 78 thereunder.Insulating partition wall 76 forms freezing chamber 79 at the bottom.Insulating partition wall 102 is disposed lengthwise between theinsulating partition walls 75 and 76, thus forming multi-purpose chamber103 and ice maker chamber 104 at the right and left.

[0070] Drawer door 105 is fitted to the opening of the multi-purposechamber 103. Drawer door 106 is fitted to the opening of the ice makerchamber 104 Ice maker 107 is disposed at the ceiling of the ice makerchamber 104. Hinged door 108 is fitted to the opening of therefrigerating chamber 79.

[0071] First fan 89 delivers the air cooled by first cooler 88 into themultipurpose chamber 103 through draft passage 109 and damper unit 90.The fan 89 directly guides the air cooled by the cooler 88 to the icemaker chamber 104 through a draft passage (not shown).

[0072] The freezing chamber 79 and the ice maker chamber 104 functionsas a direct cooling chamber with the cooler 88 and fan 89. Therefrigerating chamber 77 functions as a direct cooling chamber with thecooler 91 and fan 92. The multi-purpose chamber 103 functions as adirect cooling chamber with the cooler 88, fan 89 and damper unit 90.The direct cooling chamber directly introduces the cool air into theinterior. The cool air is not directly introduced into the vegetablechamber 78, which functions as an indirect cooling chamber via thecooling plate 94.

[0073] An operation of the above refrigerator will be described.

[0074] The air cooled by the first cooler 88 is directly introduced bythe first fan 89 into the freezing chamber 79 and the ice maker chamber104. The contents of the freezing chamber 79 are directly cooled byforced convection and stored at freezing temperatures. In the ice makerchamber 104, the cool air serves to make ice by the ice maker 107. Apart of the cool air is adjusted by the damper unit 90 to an appropriateamount and is directly introduced into the multi-purpose chamber 103through the draft passage 109 in order to directly cool the contents byforced convection. The contents are stored at desired temperaturesranging from a refrigerating temperature to a freezing temperature inaccordance with the adjustment made by the user.

[0075] The air cooled by the second cooler 91 is directly discharged bythe second fan 92 into the refrigerating chamber 77 from the dischargeport 99 through the discharge air passage 97. A part of the cooled airfor cooling the contents of the refrigerating chamber 77 directly byforced convection is guided into the draft passage 95 from the intakeport 98 at the bottom, and returns to the second cooler 91 through theintake air passage 96 after cooling the cooling plate 94. That is, therefrigerating chamber 77, freezing chamber 79, multi-purpose chamber103, and ice maker chamber 104 function as direct cooling chambers forcooling the contents by forced convection of the cooled air directlyintroduced into the interior or for making ice. Accordingly, thecontents stored in these chambers are rapidly cooled since being placedunder a cooling environment having a relatively large heat transfercoefficient. Thus, these cooling chambers are suitable for cool-storinggeneral foods, such as daily dishes, processed foods, frozen foods, anddrinks, which are preferably cooled down to specified storagetemperatures in a short time when they are stored for the first time orwhen the temperature is raised due to opening and closing of the door,or for making a large quantity of ice in a short time.

[0076] The cooling plate 94 cooled by the forced convection of the coolair flowing in the draft passage 95 is made of material having a largethermal conductivity, and is quickly and nearly uniformly cooled overthe entire surface thereof and is lowered in temperature. Accordingly,the cooling plate 94 functions as an indirect cooling plate for coolingthe vegetable chamber 78 and disposed at the top thereof. That is, thecooling plate 94 indirectly cools the contents of the storage container82 by radiant cooling with a temperature difference and downward coolingcaused due to natural convection, and allows the vegetable chamber 78 tofunction as an indirect cooling chamber.

[0077] Accordingly, in the vegetable chamber 78, the contents are placedunder a cooling environment having a relatively small heat transfercoefficient, thus suppressing their drying. Therefore, the vegetablechamber is suitable for the cooling storage of perishable foods, such asvegetables and fruits, of which storage quality is closely related withtranspiration of water in particular.

[0078] As described above, the refrigerator is partitioned into three ormore sections of storage chambers, direct cooling chambers kept atfreezing and refrigerating temperatures, direct cooling chambers havinga function of being able to select proper temperatures, direct coolingchambers having an independent function of ice making, and indirectcooling chambers kept at refrigerating temperatures. This arrangementsuppresses the reduction of food quality under storage control inaccordance with the suitability for storage of stored foods and toassure excellent storage performance. Further, the refrigerator is usedconveniently because of the ice maker chamber 104 independentlydisposed.

[0079] The improvement of the storing capacity of the vegetable chamber78 is similar to that in embodiment 3, and thus, the description isomitted.

[0080] (Exemplary Embodiment 5)

[0081]FIG. 10 is an outside front view of a refrigerator in exempalryembodiment 5 of the present invention. FIG. 11 is a sectional view ofthe refrigerator. Insulating partition wall 111 partitions refrigeratormain body 110 into upper and lower sections, forming refrigeratingchamber 77 at the top and vegetable chamber 112 thereunder, alsoperishable food chamber 113 thereunder, and freezing chamber 79 at thebottom. Drawer doors 114 and 115 are fitted to the front openingportions of the vegetable chamber 112 and the perishable food chamber113, respectively. Doors 114 and 115 are drawn out along with storagecontainers 116 and 117, respectively.

[0082] Partition plate 118 is disposed between the refrigerating chamber77 and the vegetable chamber 112. Partition plate 119 is disposedbetween the vegetable chamber 112 and the perishable food chamber 113.Cooling plate 120 having a high thermal conductivity closes the topopening of the vegetable chamber 112 at a specified interval under thepartition plate 118. Draft passage 121 is provided between the partitionplate 118 and the cooling plate 120. Cooling plate 122 having a largethermal conductivity for closing the top opening of the perishable foodchamber 113 is disposed at a specified interval under the partitionplate 119. Draft passage 123 is provided between the partition plate 119and the cooling plate 122.

[0083] The air cooled by the second cooler 91 disposed in therefrigerating chamber 77 is directly delivered by the second fan 92 intothe draft passages 121 and 123 and cooling the cooling plates 120 and122. Accordingly, the cool air is not directly introduced into thevegetable chamber 112 or perishable food chamber 113 which areindirectly cooled by radiant cooling from top and downward cooling bynatural convection.

[0084] Thus, in addition to the vegetable chamber 112, since theperishable food chamber 113 also functions as an indirect coolingchamber, the refrigerator can store perishable foods for which drying isundesirable from drying in different sections for vegetables, fruits,and other fish, meat and the like. In particular, since fish and meatare prevented from drying and quality deterioration caused due tooxidation, the a refrigerator may assure high storage quality forgeneral perishable foods.

[0085] Under a recent trend of increase in using frequency of arefrigerator due to the increasing consumption of perishable foods,according to the present invention, the refrigerator has indirectcooling chambers with drawer doors 116 and 117 in the middle of therefrigerator main body 110, which is used more easily and assures asufficient storing capacity.

INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY

[0086] The present invention relates to a refrigerator having three ormore sections of storage chambers vertically arranged.

[0087] The refrigerator of the present invention includes three or morestorage chambers vertically arranged. At least one of the chambers is anindirect cooling chamber cooled without cool air into introduced in itsinterior. The other chambers are direct cooling chambers cooled by thecool air introducing into their interiors. The installation space forthe refrigerator may be suppressed. Foods for which drying or oxidationis undesirable can be stored in the indirect cooling chamber of therefrigerator, and other foods that should be quickly cooled can bestored in the direct cooling chamber. This provides the refrigeratorwith multiple section control that assures excellent storage quality.

1. A refrigerator comprising: two direct cooling chambers cooled by coolair introduced therein; and an indirect cooling chamber cooled withoutcool air introduced therein, wherein said indirect cooling chamber andsaid direct cooling chamber are vertically arranged.
 2. The refrigeratorof claim 1, further comprising: a cooler of freezing cycle forgenerating the cool air; and a fan for delivering the cool air, whereinthe cool air cools said indirect cooling chamber via an outer envelop ofsaid indirect cooling chamber.
 3. The refrigerator of claim 2, furthercomprising: a cooling plate forming at least a part of said outerenvelop of said indirect cooling chamber, said cooling plate having alarge thermal conductivity.
 4. The refrigerator of claim 2 or 3, whereinsaid cooler is disposed in one of said direct cooling chambers.
 5. Therefrigerator of any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein said indirect coolingchamber is disposed between said direct cooling chambers.
 6. Therefrigerator of any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein said indirect coolingchamber is a vegetable chamber.
 7. A refrigerator comprising: first,second, and third storage chambers vertically arranged; and coolingdevices for cooling said first, second, and third storage chambers,respectively.
 8. The refrigerator of claim 7, further comprising: afirst cooler for cooling said first storage chamber; a second cooler forcooling said second and third storage chambers; and first and secondfans for deliver air cooled by said first and second coolers,respectively, wherein said first and second storage chambers are directcooling chambers cooled by forced convection created by said first andsecond fans, respectively, and wherein said third storage chamber is anindirect cooling chamber cooled via at least a part of an outer envelopthereof cooled by forced convection created by one of said first andsecond fans.
 9. The refrigerator of claim 8, wherein said first andsecond coolers are disposed in said first and second storage chambers,respectively.
 10. The refrigerator of claim 8 or 9, further comprising:a cooling plate forming at least a part of said outer envelop of saidthird storage chamber, said cooling plate having a large thermalconductivity.
 11. The refrigerator of any one of claims 8 to 10, whereinsaid third storage chamber is disposed in a nearly middle of saidrefrigerator.
 12. The refrigerator of any one of claims 8 to 11, whereinsaid third storage chamber is disposed between said first and secondstorage chambers.
 13. The refrigerator of any one of claims 8 to 12,wherein said third storage chamber is a vegetable chamber.
 14. Therefrigerator of claim 13, wherein said first storage chamber is afreezing chamber, and wherein said second storage chamber is arefrigerating chamber.
 15. The refrigerator of claim 14, wherein saidrefrigerating chamber is arranged above said freezing chamber.
 16. Therefrigerator of claim 14 or 15, further comprising: a drawer doorprovided for said vegetable chamber.
 17. The refrigerator of claim 16,further comprising: a drawer door provided for said freezing chamber;and a hinged door provided for said refrigerating chamber.
 18. Therefrigerator of claim 17, wherein said hinged door of said refrigeratingchamber includes a double door.
 19. The refrigerator of any one ofclaims 16 to 18, wherein a height (H) from a floor of installation to anupper end of said door of said vegetable chamber satisfies 600 mm≦H≦850mm.
 20. The refrigerator of any one of claims 14 to 19, furthercomprising: a compressor for freezing cycle, wherein said compressor andsaid first cooler are arranged side by side at a back of said freezingchamber.